KPT-330 has antitumour activity against non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

We investigated the biologic and pharmacologic activities of a chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1) inhibitor against human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells both in vitro and in vivo.

METHODS

The in vitro and in vivo effects of a novel CRM1 inhibitor (KPT-330) for a large number of anticancer parameters were evaluated using a large panel of 11 NSCLC cell lines containing different key driver mutations. Mice bearing human NSCLC xenografts were treated with KPT-330, and tumour growth was assessed.

RESULTS

KPT-330 inhibited proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-related proteins in 11 NSCLC cells lines. Moreover, the combination of KPT-330 with cisplatin synergistically enhanced the cell kill of the NSCLC cells in vitro. Human NSCLC tumours growing in immunodeficient mice were markedly inhibited by KPT-330. Also, KPT-330 was effective even against NSCLC cells with a transforming mutation of either exon 20 of EGFR, TP53, phosphatase and tensin homologue, RAS or PIK3CA, suggesting the drug might be effective against a variety of lung cancers irrespective of their driver mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support clinical testing of KPT-330 as a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 rescues the oxidative stress induced by di-N-butylphthalate in testicular Leydig cells

Aim:

This study aimed to determine whether nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 antagonized the oxidative stress induced by di- N-butylphthalate (DBP) in testicular Leydig cells.

Methods:

Mouse TM3 testicular Leydig cells were treated with Nrf2 knockdown (KD) or overexpression in the presence and absence of DBP. Oxidative profiles were examined. Nrf2 target antioxidant genes were studied, and the effects of Nrf2 inducer sulphoraphane (SFN) were tested.

Results:

DBP induced intracellular oxidative stress to a similar extent with Nrf2 KD. Expression and protein levels of Nrf2 were increased together with its target genes, namely heme oxygenase 1, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate quinone oxidoreductase 1 and peroxiredoxin 6, following DBP stimulation. Use of SFN not only restored the intracellular oxidative toxicity but also cell proliferation and testosterone secretion in response to DBP.

Conclusion:

Increased Nrf2 activity, for example, by SFN can effectively antagonize the oxidative stress in testicular Leydig cells caused by DBP.

Lentiviral-mediated RNAi targeting caspase-3 inhibits apoptosis induced by serum deprivation in rat endplate chondrocytes in vitro

Current studies find that degenerated cartilage endplates (CEP) of vertebrae, with fewer diffusion areas, decrease nutrient supply and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration. Many more apoptotic cells have been identified in degenerated than in normal endplates, and may be responsible for the degenerated grade. Previous findings suggest that inhibition of apoptosis is one possible approach to improve disc regeneration. It is postulated that inhibition of CEP cell apoptosis may be responsible for the regeneration of endplates. Caspase-3, involved in the execution phase of apoptosis, is a candidate for regulating the apoptotic process. In the present study, CEP cells were incubated in 1% fetal bovine serum. Activated caspases were detected to identify the apoptotic pathway, and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Lentiviral caspase-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was employed to study its protective effects against serum deprivation. Silencing of caspase-3 expression was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots, and inhibition of apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Serum deprivation increased apoptosis of rat CEP cells through activation of a caspase cascade. Lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA was successfully transduced into CEP cells, and specifically silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression. Surviving cells were protected by the downregulation of caspase-3 expression and activation. Thus, lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA-mediated RNAi successfully silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression, preventing inappropriate or premature apoptosis.

Early intra-articular injection of alendronate reduces cartilage changes and subchondral bone loss in rat temporomandibular joints after ovariectomy

This study investigated the effects of intra-articular injection of alendronate on the mandibular condyle in ovariectomized rats. Sixty rats were divided into five groups: ovariectomy with vehicle treatment alone, early alendronate treatment at ovariectomy, late alendronate treatment at 4 weeks after ovariectomy, sham-operation with vehicle treatment, and normal controls. The changes in cartilage and subchondral bone were evaluated by micro-computed tomography, histology, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, immunohistochemistry, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Compared with late alendronate treatment, early alendronate treatment completely inhibited cartilage thickening (727.6±39.3 vs. 1013.3±51.6; P=0.017) and improved microstructural properties of the subchondral bone, with a higher bone volume ratio (46.4±2.5 vs. 37.5±2.1; P=0.038), trabecular thickness (47.3±1.7 vs. 34.6±1.4; P=0.029), and trabecular number (8.5±0.6 vs. 6.2±0.3; P=0.041) and lower trabecular separation (30.2±1.6 vs. 37.7±2.6; P=0.034). Fewer TRAP-positive cells (4.2±0.2 vs. 6.8±0.4; P=0.019) and a higher OPG/RANKL ratio (0.38±0.01 vs. 0.25±0.03; P=0.043) in the subchondral bone were observed in the animals with early treatment compared to late treatment or ovariectomy/vehicle treatment. In addition, early alendronate treatment blocked the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 expression in the chondrocytes, whereas late alendronate treatment attenuated the up-regulation of MMP-13 expression. Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of intra-articular alendronate injection in the treatment of osteoporosis-associated temporomandibular disorders.

Pharmacokinetics of metronidazole, tetracycline and bismuth in healthy volunteers after oral administration of compound tablets containing a combination of metronidazole, tetracycline hydrochloride and bismuth oxide

BACKGROUND

To eradicate Helicobacter pylori in human pylorus and to heal duodenal ulcers, recently, a new formulation of combination tablets containing metronidazole 125 mg, tetracycline hydrochloride 125 mg and bismuth oxide 40 mg has been developed.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pharmacokinetics of metronidazole, tetracycline and bismuth in healthy Chinese volunteers after oral administration of the test formulation.

METHODS

A one-sequence, 3-period study was conducted in 12 Chinese healthy volunteers (6 male, 6 female). Volunteers each received single low dose (1 tablet) under fed condition in period 1, single high dose (3 tablets) under fasted condition in period 2, and single high dose (3 tablets) and multiple doses (3 tablets at once, 4 times daily for 7 consecutive days) under fed condition in period 3. Blood samples were collected and determined over 48 h in every period.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

After single high dose administration under fed condition, the C max of metronidazole, tetracycline and bismuth were 6.833 ± 0.742 μg/mL, 0.8513 ± 0.1253 μg/mL and 3.32 ± 1.89 ng/mL, respectively. The C max and AUC 0-48 of metronidazole increased in proportion to the doses within the tested dose range, but tetracycline and bismuth did not. Food caused 10% and 80% decrease of the C max for metronidazole and bismuth, respectively, but did not affect tetracycline. No gender effect was found on the pharmacokinetics of the 3 ingredients. In the steady state, the C av of metronidazole, tetracycline and bismuth were 20.75 ± 3.52 μg/mL, 1.900 ± 0.243 μg/mL and 5.61 ± 1.34 ng/mL, respectively.

Clinical outcomes of remission induction therapy for severe antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reasons that complete remission is not achieved or maintained with original treatment in some patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) treated with rituximab (RTX) or with cyclophosphamide/azathioprine (CYC/AZA).

METHODS

The Rituximab in AAV trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the rate of remission induction among patients treated with RTX (n = 99) and patients treated with CYC followed by AZA (n = 98). Glucocorticoids were tapered over a period of 5 months. The primary outcome measure was lack of disease activity without glucocorticoid treatment at 6 months. To determine the most important reason for failure to achieve the primary outcome, 7 hierarchical categories of reasons were defined retrospectively (uncontrolled disease, adverse event leading to therapy discontinuation, severe flare, limited flare, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's Granulomatosis >0, prednisone treatment at any dosage, and other).

RESULTS

Although remission (lack of disease activity) was achieved in 170 of the 197 patients (86%) in the first 6 months, the primary outcome measure was not achieved in 42%. There were 3 deaths. Twenty-four percent of the patients failed to achieve the primary end point due to active disease: 10 (5%) experienced uncontrolled disease in the first month and 37 (19%) experienced flares after initial improvement. In the majority of such patients, treatment with blinded crossover or according to best medical judgment led to disease control. Ninety-one percent of patients who had uncontrolled disease or experienced a severe flare had proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA. When patients with uncontrolled disease were excluded from analysis, those who were PR3-ANCA positive were found to experience fewer flares when treated with RTX compared to CYC/AZA (8 of 59 [14%] versus 20 of 62 [32%]; P = 0.02). Neither ANCA titers nor B cell counts predicted disease flare.

CONCLUSION

Current treatment regimens are largely successful in controlling AAV, but in approximately one-fourth of patients, active disease persists or recurs in the first 6 months despite treatment. PR3-ANCA positivity is a risk factor for recurrence or persistence of severe disease. ANCA titers and B cell detectability are poor predictors of both disease relapse and disease quiescence in the first 6 months.

Association of NPP1 polymorphism with postoperative progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Chinese patients

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition of the spine that can cause paralysis by compressing the spinal cord. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 gene (NPP1) polymorphism in the etiology and pathology of the OPLL in Chinese patients. DNA from patients with OPLL (N = 95) and without OPLL (N = 90) were genotyped for 4 NPP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): A533C, C973T, IVS15-14T→C, and IVS20-11delT. An association study evaluated the relationship between specific SNP genotypes and susceptibility. We also evaluated whether genotypes of these SNPs were associated with disease severity and the probability of disease progression after surgery. The C973T and IVS15-14T SNPs were associated with the existence of the disease. The TT genotypes of C973T and IVS15→14T as well wild-type IVS20 (lack of deletion) were associated with more severe disease. Patients with the T deletion of IVS20 or the AA genotype of A533C had an approximately 3 times greater chance of not having than having disease progression after surgery. We concluded that the 4 SNPs analyzed appeared to have different effects on the etiology and pathology of OPLL. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the relationship between these SNPs and disease progression after surgery. Our findings suggest that the presence of specific genotypes of the IVS20-11delT and A533C SNPs may predict disease outcome after surgical intervention.

Ionotropic glutamate receptors in paraventricular nucleus mediate adipose afferent reflex and regulate sympathetic outflow in rats

AIM

Chemical stimulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) induces adipose afferent reflex (AAR) and results in increases in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). The enhanced AAR contributes to sympathetic activation and hypertension in obesity rats. This study was designed to investigate whether N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) and non-NMDAR in paraventricular nucleus (PVN) modulate AAR and sympathetic outflow.

METHODS

Renal sympathetic nerve activity and MAP were recorded in anesthetized rats. AAR was evaluated by the RSNA and MAP responses to the injection of capsaicin into the four sites of right inguinal WAT (8.0 nmol for each site).

RESULTS

Bilateral PVN microinjection of NMDAR antagonist AP5 or MK-801, or non-NMDAR antagonist CNQX attenuated AAR, RSNA and MAP. AP5 + CNQX caused greater effects than AP5 or CNQX alone and almost abolished AAR. NMDAR agonist NMDA or non-NMDAR agonist AMPA enhanced the AAR, and increased RSNA and MAP, which were prevented by AP5 or CNQX pre-treatment respectively. Casein kinase 2 inhibitor DRB, NR2A antagonist NVP-AAM077 or NR2B antagonist CP-101,606 attenuated AAR, RSNA and MAP. NVP-AAM077 + CP-101,606 caused greater effects than NVP-AAM077 or CP-101,606 alone. Bilateral baroreceptor denervation and vagotomy enhanced AAR, which was abolished by PVN pre-treatment with AP5 + CNQX. Furthermore, AP5 + CNQX abolished the AAR induced by leptin in iWAT.

CONCLUSION

Both NMDAR and non-NMDAR in the PVN mediate AAR and contribute to the tonic control of sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. CK2, NR2A and NR2B subunits of NMDAR in the PVN are involved in the NMDAR-mediated tonic control of AAR, RSNA and MAP.

β-Cell differentiation and regeneration in type 1 diabetes

Pancreatic insulin-producing β-cells have traditionally been viewed as a quiescent cell population. However, several recent lines of evidence indicated that like most tissues the β-cell mass is dynamically regulated with ongoing β-cell regeneration throughout life to replenish lost or damaged β-cells. In type 1 diabetes (T1D), this fine-tuned balance between β-cell death and β-cell renewal in the endocrine pancreas is lost and the deficit in β-cell mass is largely caused by autoimmune-mediated apoptosis. Currently, the concept that a cure for T1D will require both re-establishment of immunological tolerance along with replacement or regeneration of a functional β-cell mass in T1D patients is generally accepted. In this study our current understanding of the events directing β-cell replication, β-cell reprogramming from different cell types and β-cell regeneration is reviewed, in view of the results of various immunomodulatory strategies aiming at blocking autoimmune responses against pancreatic β-cells and at improving β-cell mass and function in subjects with T1D.

An efficient lattice Boltzmann model for indoor airflow and particle transport

The three-dimensional multiple-relaxation-time LB (MRT-LB) and Lagrangian particle tracking methods were applied to simulate turbulent airflow and particle dispersion in a ventilated room with a partition. The turbulent airflow was simulated by large eddy simulation (LES) using the MRT-LB method with the Smagorinsky model. This method was verified by comparing it with experimental and other numerical results. Good agreement was observed between airflow simulation and experimental data. It is also demonstrated that the LES carried out by the MRT-LB method can produce airflow results very similar to the RNG LES and provide better prediction than the standard and RNG k-ε models. In order to further improve the efficiency of the MRT-LB method, the multi-block grid refinement (MBGR) technique was used. The accuracy and efficiency of the MBGR and the consistency of physical quantities across the interface were investigated. In simulation of particle dispersion in the model room, particles with diameters of 1 and 10 µm were considered. It is shown that this model can successfully capture dispersion characteristics of particles.

Blood pressure reducing effects of piromelatine and melatonin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

Recently, widespread interest has grown regarding melatonin treatment of hypertension including its cardioprotective effects. Studies in rodents indicate that melatonin plays a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in rats with metabolic syndrome. Piromelatine, a melatonin agonist, serotonin 5-HT-1A and 5-HT-1D agonist and serotonin 5-HT2B antagonist is a multimodal agent with sleep promoting, anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-neurodegenerative, anxiolytic and antidepressant potential, currently in development for the treatment of insomnia.

AIM

In this report we assessed the effects of piromelatine and melatonin treatment on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five groups of 12-wk-old rats (10/group) were treated for 5 weeks with a vehicle, piromelatine (5, 15 and 50 mg/kg BW) and melatonin (10 mg/kg BW) and an age-matched WKY control group. Systolic blood pressure (tail-cuff method) was measured weekly at 9:00 a.m. and at 9:00 p.m. The rats body weight, plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, adiponectin, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL/VLDL cholesterol were also measured.

RESULTS

Our results showed that both piromelatine and melatonin reduced SHR blood pressure significantly both during the morning and the evening. Piromelatine, but not melatonin, also reduced SHR body weight gain and both significantly decreased plasma glucose and insulin levels and increased adiponectin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Piromelatine, similar to melatonin, has an antihypertensive effect and also attenuates body weight, improves metabolic profiles and might be useful in the treatment of hypertension and the metabolic syndrome.

Medium modification of jet fragmentation in Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV measured in direct photon-hadron correlations

The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The p(T) of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial p(T) of the jet and the ratio z(T)=p(T)(h)/p(T)(γ) is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au+Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p+p. I(AA), the ratio of hadron yield opposite the photon in Au+Au to that in p+p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high z(T). The associated hadron yield at low z(T) is enhanced at large angles. Such a trend is expected from redistribution of the lost energy into increased production of low-momentum particles.

Interferon alpha treatment of patients with impaired interferon gamma signaling

Patients with deficiency in the interferon gamma receptor (IFN-γR) are unable to respond properly to IFN-γ and develop severe infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). IFN-γ and IFN-α are known to signal through STAT1 and activate many downstream effector genes in common. Therefore, we added IFN-α for treatment of patients with disseminated mycobacterial disease in an effort to complement their IFN-γ signaling defect. We treated four patients with IFN-γR deficiency with adjunctive IFN-α therapy in addition to best available antimicrobial therapy, with or without IFN-γ, depending on the defect. During IFN-α treatment, ex vivo induction of IFN target genes was detected. In addition, IFN-α driven gene expression in patients' cells and mycobacteria induced cytokine response were observed in vitro. Clinical responses varied in these patients. IFN-α therapy was associated with either improvement or stabilization of disease. In no case was disease exacerbated. In patients with profoundly impaired IFN-γ signaling who have refractory infections, IFN-α may have adjunctive anti-mycobacterial effects.